Chronological Thinking

By studying the life narratives and journals in the collection, students can construct sequences of events within individual's lives. Comparing these writings, students can then understand the larger picture of the history of the state and the development of the cities within it.

1) Nearly all the narratives in the collection are "remembrances" of some kind, and, therefore, span a specific
amount of time -- from a few months to 75 years. Students can explore a timeline within a life narrative or can compare narratives on the same subject written in different eras.

Search on memoirs and narratives for writings in the collection which illustrate lives over time.

2) The collection is filled with materials that recount the relatively quick sequence of events of California's movement from a "foreign" territory to a U.S. territory to a state. For example, students can compare these two texts to understand the rapid growth of the small town first known as Yerba Buena into the bustling city of San Francisco:

[1835] This tent was the first habitation ever erected
in Yerba Buena. At the time, Richardson's only neighbors were bears,
coyotes and wolves. The nearest people lived either at the Presidio
or at Mission Dolores. The family lived under that tent about three
months, after which Richardson constructed a small wooden house, and
later a large one of adobe on what is now Dupont (Grant Avenue) near
the corner of Clay Street.

PIOCHE BAYERQUE had their store on the north side of
Clay street, just below Kearny. Davidson's bank was just below them.
Then came Bennett Kirby's store; William Hobourg was a partner in
their house. Bagley Sinton were adjoining. Cross, Hobson Co. were
opposite. The Adelphi Theater was about half way between Kearny and
Montgomery streets, on the south side of Clay, and was used for theatrical
performances, concerts, balls, etc. W. H. Lyon kept the bar of the
theater.